Studio Visit with Artist Gary Zack

The foundation of Gary Zack’s artistic interests can be distilled down to his love of color. In the early days of his stained glass work, masterful use of color was central in his designs. From sparse, contemporary, Mondrian-style compositions to lush, figurative installations, color always took center stage. His love of color lead him to hot glass, which allowed him to blend colors in ways that flat, cold glass techniques could not. 

Zack’s current work with oils and acrylics present yet another opportunity for Zack to compose pieces rich with contrasts of light and dark, texture, pattern and mood. From small color studies to larger compositions, Zack’s paintings offer yet another opportunity for lovers of color to explore and enjoy.

Nestled in downtown Saratoga just off Van Dam, on Bolster lane you will find Gary Zack’s studio. As soon as you step in, the visitor is greeted with the remnants of his long career as an interdisciplinary artist. Proof of his history as a glass artist, and even more of his current focus on painting.

image courtesy of Gary Zack

Available work from Gary Zack:

Together Again for the Holidays

It’s the most wonderful time of year, time for family and time for cheer! Christmas may be the number one thing on everyone’s mind, beating the holiday rushes, and fear of low stock for this unusual holiday season to come. Thanksgiving is however not to be forgotten! Finally, we can be together again for the holidays as travel is accessible yet again. What better way to celebrate being together again than with artwork to finish off your holiday cheer.

Let the work of artist Alexei Butirskiy be the finishing touch to your holiday décor! When you get out those pumpkins and leaf garlands, consider adding a giclée of “Autumn at Riverside” over your mantle. And when it’s time to switch over from fall to winter décor, finish off your space with a giclée of “Winter at Riverside”! New York City scenes not your style? Choose one of the many jet-setting locations Butirskiy has masterfully painted to get into the holiday cheer.

Why not go all out for the holidays this year? Celebrate the time spent together and the future years to come. Let the work of Alexei Butirskiy get you into the holiday spirit! Continue reading to see how we’ve styled his beautiful works to fit any holiday needs!

 

“Autumn at Riverside”, 24x36

It’s not too late to still decorate and celebrate for Thanksgiving! Let Butirskiy’s vibrant colors and depictions of fall be the showcase of your seasonal decor!

“September Morn”, 25x48

“Winter at Riverside”, 28x40

This is the year to go all out and celebrate Christmas! We all could use that extra cheer this year, and Butiskiy’s depictions of calm snowfall add just the serenity to remind you of the best parts of the Holiday season!

“Fresh Snow”, 18x24

Additional Holiday Decorating Ideas:

About Alexei Butirskiy

Born in Moscow in 1974, Alexei Butirskiy entered Moscow Art College in 1992. In 1996 he finished his studies at the Art College and graduated with an Excellence Diploma. In 1998 he completed the Russian Academy of the Arts where he studied under respected professor L.S. Hasyanova.

Since 1996, Butirskiy has participated in over 10 exhibitions, one-man shows and auctions both in Russia and in England.

Most recently, Alexei has concentrated his efforts primarily on representing urban life around him in truthful and unglorified terms. A sense of tranquility is conveyed in each of his paintings. They are typically without action or conviviality, and most are uncannily still, with only light, space, shadows and color offering dialog.

The power and intensity of the relationship between light and dark are the profound forces of his work. The sophisticated application of light effects with color reinforce the majesty of his compositions. Butirskiy’s paintings are reminiscent of the works of Claude de Lorraine and Caravaggio with their luminescent qualities and skillful variations of light and dark.

Alexei Butirskiy’s ability to combine architecture, color and format is a refined skill normally reserved for artists much his senior. As a result, he ranks among Russia’s top emerging artists. His work has been successfully exhibited in galleries and private collections throughout France, England, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Russia and the United States.

Take a Step into the Studio with Artist Christopher Pierce

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Christopher Pierce is a nationally recognized fine artist who paints florals, still lifes, portraits, figures, and interiors with panache and a mature sensitivity. Along with his stunning portraiture, he is well known for the huge and commanding florals that come from the bounty of his gardens. Pierce has won several national awards, and has been featured in numerous magazines internationally.

The artist, who has been called a poetic realist, grew up near New York City and attended Hackley School in Tarrytown where his talent was recognized early. He received his bachelor's degree from Skidmore College and his master's degree from the College of St. Rose. He has also studied with David A. Leffel and Terrence Coyle at the Art Student's League.

Now is your chance to dive into the process with artist Christopher Pierce first hand. Learn about he how developed his career as an artist while living and working out of Shushan, NY. Find out what artist has left a lasting mark on his creative process and how he incorporates music and art into his daily life. Continue reading to step into the artist’s studio with Christopher Pierce himself.

 

Where are you from originally and where are you located now?

I was always an artist since I can remember. Art was not something special in our home. It was what you did. I had an oil painting set by the time I was six years old and went painting with my mother often. I was raised in Westchester County and attended the Hackley School in Tarrytown, NY. There I was allowed to study art as a major subject and received the Sherman prize for art upon graduation. By the time I was a senior, I was painting a minimum of three hours a day. I wanted to become an artist.

But I also wanted to be a pianist and practiced that three hours a day as well…I eventually chose music and was a pianist, and teacher, living in Shushan, NY.

Image courtesy of Christopher Pierce

 

How did you get started as an artist?

Despite deciding a future in music, fate stepped in and I was diagnosed with Meniere’s disease, which is an imbalance of the lymphoma fluid in your inner ear. I would collapse with severe vertigo at random…never knowing when it was going to happen. My hearing started to fail in my right ear, and six specialists told me that I may go deaf. I thought my life was over.

I went to a Vietnamese herbalist who put me on a regiment of strong Chinese herbs, exercise, and a healthy diet. I have not had an attack since.

Pulling myself together after the initial depression, I decided I needed to change my career immediately if there was a chance I could go deaf; and so I went and studied briefly at the Art Student’s League. It was summer and my career as a private piano teacher allowed me to be away during that time. But I needed to support myself and couldn’t stay in New York City. In the fall I had to return up north to teach, trying to think of a way I could give myself the same education similar to that offered by the Art Student’s League.

With the encouragement of a good friend, I organized a three hour drawing group with a nude model five days a week, and followed, verbatim, ‘a natural way to draw’ by Kimon Nicolaides.

I started entering as many local art shows and fairs as possible. Exhibiting at small galleries, libraries, and churches, I showed my work everywhere I could. Everything was my subject

I started teaching piano only four days a week to give me more time at my easel. And then three days a week…then two, and finally I gave up teaching piano because I was selling enough paintings and drawings to support myself.

I was very fortunate, and people began to take notice of my work. A friend helped me build a separate building as a studio. Until then I was using the music room in the house as my work space.. I built up my resume by starting to win awards in local, then eventually national competitions; and articles were written about my work. With this newfound attention, galleries began noticing, and I started being represented by very high end galleries…

I was actually making a living from my work….

Pierce, “Butterscotch Iris”, 12x8

 
 

How would you describe your artwork?

I became a contemporary realist oil painter. Oil was my medium of choice from when I was in high school. My godfather, Leandro Delgado, was mainly an oil painter and I fell in love with the smell, texture, and sight of oils as a child. At one point I ground my own pigments, but found I did not have time for that. And factually, the best professional oil paints are better than the ones I was grinding.

Being a painter has to rank among the most versatile of professions. When I’m at home I paint, and when I travel I paint. I paint mostly in my studio, but feel the need to get outside and ‘refresh’ myself; and doing so, find that painting landscapes is a real challenge to me and is a chance to do more problem solving with paint.

Whether I’m painting indoors or out there is no question as to what my favorite subject is: people! Painting for me is such a lonely effort that I welcome any human model to stand or be in front of me…and it’s a challenge for me to put them in landscapes as well as interiors…it’s a whole different set of rules outdoors with such different lighting conditions…painting en plein air actually helps me painting indoors because it gives me new ideas about light…since I paint only from natural light even indoors, I make comparisons and contrasts about how light falls on someone. Even though it’s the same light coming into the my studio from a window or skylight, it looks different on the  model…is it just the different reflections and surrounding conditions? Or color of the glass? Or diffused light? Etc…

Image courtesy of Christopher Pierce

Pierce, “Sunflowers in Peacock Vase”, 30x24

 

Tell us about the process of making your work from start to finish.

95% of the work I do is from life. It’s easier!  So much more information there! But, of course, there are situations where it’s necessary to use other media. I had a portrait commission to paint three children 3, 5, and 7 years old. It was very difficult for them to stay still long enough to work with, so with the help of my Nikon D 300, I had them pose for photos. They posed from life also, but the photos were a necessary back up.

Almost all my other paintings are done alla prima in the sense that in a large flower painting I will work on and complete the head of one flower wet in wet, and that flower will be finished. Then the next day I will do another. It’s possible to go back in, ‘oil’ a section of the canvas and start painting, but I prefer to paint while the canvas is still fresh with the initial paint…the result is more juicy, sensual, and painterly.

I used to grind my own pigments, but find that I don’t have enough time any more. I would rather spend any time on actual painting. I feel now that grinding takes up a lot of time and energy; and factually, ‘store bought’ paints are just as good or better than what I was grinding. But when I was doing it, I wanted to be as ‘ pure’ as possible with my materials; and I respect anyone who feels that way. I also feel that grinding one’s own pigments maybe gives the artist a stronger sense of purpose and conviction about what he is doing. Hmmm…maybe I’ll start grinding paints again someday.

I use a Hughes 300 easel and don’t know how I painted without it. Outdoors I use a Julian half French easel. I can pack it in my luggage when I travel abroad. I almost always paint from life and use natural light. I’m inspired by life and paint everything. My subject matter is not limited. I grow as a portrait painter when I paint landscapes, and vice versa.

Pierce, “Study in Yellow”, 16x12

Image courtesy of Christopher Pierce

 

Where do you look for inspiration?

While at the Rockefeller study center in Bellagio, Italy on Lake Como, I went out everyday with this outfit. It felt as though I had my entire studio with me. I also painted the same way in France. And two years ago, just before Covid, I spent three months in Italy painting very day at Il Palmerino, just outside of Florence. For me it is a joy to paint where there are people. Some of them are unknowingly put into my paintings.

 

Pierce, “The Family”, 12x16

 
 

Are there any specific artists who have inspired you? 

Living near New York City as a child and teenager was a blessing because of all the cultural opportunities. I remember seeing John Singer Sargent’s painting, “Madame X” at the Metropolitan Museum when I was a child. It left a strong impression on me, and I began looking for his work in other museums and books. He could paint any subject, and his influence has probably had the most profound effect on my work more than any other artist.

 
“Madame X” by John Singer Sargent, 1984-85

“Madame X” by John Singer Sargent, 1984-85

 
 

How do you spend your free time outside of making art? Do you have any favorite hobbies?

As it turned out, I did not lose my hearing, so besides painting every day, I also practice the piano, to the point, actually, of occasionally giving piano recitals. AS well as performing here, when I was in Italy two years ago, I gave a recital in a small town in the Apennines  It was an extraordinary experience for me, played on an extraordinary piano, a restored 1911 Bluthner Concert Grand.

Image courtesy of Christopher Pierce

Image courtesy of Christopher Pierce

 

What is your favorite thing about being a working artist?

I can’t imagine a better way to live. Beauty surrounds me in all my subject matter, and in all the music I hear.

Pierce, “Sunflowers with Crimson Vase”, 20x53

 

Available Work from Artist Christopher Pierce:

Saddle Up Saratoga: The Shawn Faust 2021 Summer Collection

“Saddle Up”, 12x12 (Private Collection)

“The idiom ‘back in the saddle again’ was originally applied to cowboys and jockeys who were returning to work, riding on their horses again, after taking a break or recovering from an injury.” What better way to immortalize the year of 2021 Saratoga Racing Meet than by this very idiom. 2021 is a year for society to return to normalcy and for tourists to finally return to Saratoga Springs!

“I can’t think of a better time or place to get back in the saddle from this horrible pandemic than Saratoga Springs. After all, for nearly 200 years, Saratoga has been a destination for those who seek to restore their health and wellbeing through the healing power of its natural springs and beauty. It’s time for America to saddle up and get back out there! And Saratoga Springs is just the place to do it! Have a Blessed Day Everyone!”

Whether it be on the Oklahoma track or the bustling Backtrack, Shawn Faust’s work brings you drama through light and composition. Bring home a piece of one of Saratoga’s most historic treasures through Faust’s paintings.

 

It doesn’t have to be racing specific, Shawn Faust is a master of equine art, bringing personality and emotion to your collection and home design.

These paintings will arrive at the gallery on July, 28th to reserve in advance please contact us: spafineart@aol.com

Shawn’s love and fascination for drawing came as an unexpected gift from his grandfather at the age of 5. Young Faust was a tag-a-long during his grandfather’s impromptu plein air art lesson with his older brother in the back yard of his Aunt’s house. A retired director for the American Red Cross, Shawn’s grandfather, who had only recently picked up the brush himself, began a charcoal sketch that would forever change how Faust would see the world. From that brief lesson, Faust recalls vividly, “The techniques I witnessed from my grandfather that day, were pure magic!”

With his newfound gift of magic, Shawn quickly began practicing his art of 3D illusion for anyone who wanted to see it. During his childhood, you would be hard pressed not to find Shawn doodling on a piece of paper at some point during the day.

Among his favorite things to draw as a youngster were his comic book heroes. Intsead of reading the comics, he spent all his time studying the line work and muscle forms of the comic book characters. And so, began his interest in portraying the human form.

Upon entering college at the University Of Delaware, Shawn enrolled as an accounting major yet emerged with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in 1990. At the U of D he is forever grateful for the privilege of studying under distinguished artists Stephen Tanis, Charles Rowe, Robert Straight and Rosemary Lane.

Shortly after graduating, Shawn embarked on a career in Illustration. By 1993 he had quickly become one of Delaware’s prominent architectural illustrators working for more than 75% of the homebuilders in Delaware.

Between illustration jobs, Shawn pursued his interest in portrait painting. In 1992 Faust was commissioned to paint the official portrait of outgoing Delaware Governor, Michael Castle. Continuing his quest to learn more about portrait painting, Faust studied with Daniel Greene in 1995. He credits Daniel Greene for giving him the greatest key to unlocking a whole new way of seeing and interpreting color.

By 1995, Shawn’s portrait commissions and easel paintings were supporting him as much as his illustration jobs, so he decided to focus entirely on his fine art career. This included opening a gallery and custom frame shop with his wife and brother. During the twelve years of owning and operating the gallery, Shawn continued his intense portrait research by focusing his studies on the eyes of his favorite subject, the horse.

View Available Work from Shawn Faust: